Feds Get on Board with funds for Sanctuary project

The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary sees at least 60,000 visitors a year, and The Friends of the Sanctuary, a volunteer group, is working towards renovating the boardwalk and revitalizing the Sanctuary to further increase the popularity of the destination.

Last week, local MP Guy Lauzon was at the Sanctuary to announce $45,000 in funding towards Boardwalk improvements, being undertaken by the St. Lawrence Parks Commission and the Friends group.

“This is just a small step forward, but a big step towards realizing your dream,” Lauzon told the small group of volunteers who gathered for the announcement Friday.

“Our Government is pleased to support the St. Lawrence Park Commission, and specifically the Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sancutary, as part of our efforts to expand and improve recreational and multi-purpose trails across the country.”

This $45,000 funding allocation comes from the $10 million National Trails Coalition Fund.

Pauline Gagnon of the Friends said that the entire project to replace the boardwalks is estimated to cost $400,000 but it is being undertaken piece by piece.

With the Blue Heron boardwalk trail already condemned at the Redwing trail deteriorating quickly, the Friends and the Parks are actively seeking funding partnerships and help for the project.

Planning work on the Redwing trail is already underway.

The work will see a 550 section of the trail, one of the most heavily used sections, redesigned and reconstructed for better accessibility and increased longevity.

Along with the NTC funding, the St. Lawrence Parks Commission will contribute $69,000 and the Friends of the Sanctuary will provide $6,000 from their ‘Get on Board’ fundraising initiative towards the $120,000 phase one project.

“This Sanctuary is an incredible benefit for the surrounding community, so it’s a positive move to resurrect this jewel,” said Chuck Clavet, president of the Friends.

“The Friends of the Sanctuary’s ‘Get on Board’ initiative really got the ball rolling for this project,” said Lou Seiler, manager, parks and recreation facilities wit the SLPC.

Along with resurrecting the boardwalk infrastructure, the incredibly dedicated board of 14, are working diligently to increase membership numbers from 100 they have now.

Most of the board members are from the South Stormont area.

The Friends want to build awareness of the natural asset of the Sanctuary and extensive programming it offers.

Their next moonlight ski and snowshoe event is scheduled for March 7.

During March break, March 16-21 daily activities are planned at the visitor centre.

The Upper Canada Migratory Bird Sanctuary offers more than eight kilometers of self-guided nature trails were visitors can get up close to nature seeing countless species of birds, wildlife and natural habitat.

Access to the trails is free.

Skis and snowshoes are available to rent at the visitor centre which is open from noon until 4 p.m. weekends.

Small donations to the Friends organization are often requested from those participating in various programs.

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Jane and Robert Sachs opened their backyard to the South Dundas Chamber of Commerce, local politicians and the press on September 8th.

The Sachs hired Joey van Koppen, owner of We Can Contracting, to install a new solar unit in their backyard.

Sanyo, one option for solar panels, explains: “In Photovoltaics, the sun’s radiation energy is transformed into electric energy. This is accomplished by means of solar cells.”

“Photovoltaic systems have a power inverter or AC inverter. The inverter converts the direct current generated by the cells into alternating current, which can then be used for household purposes or to be fed into the public electricity grid.”

Robert Sachs, who has a wind turbine in the backyard as well as a solar hot water heater, explained: “we always wanted solar.”

He went on to say that the couple had been contemplating solar for quite some time, but hadn’t been enthusiastic about the roof unit options.

“What really sold me (on this Sovello unit) was that this is 60 per cent Canadian,” said Jane Sachs.

She went on to explain that solar power had been a dream of her father’s for quite some time. The Sachs’s solar unit is dedicated to Jane’s parents, Karl and Anna Gross.

The Ontario Power Authority’s (OPA) microFit Program is receiving a lot of credit for the increase in Solar PV systems.

From the OPA’s microFit Program Overview: “If you are a homeowner, farmer or small business owner, or if you manage an institution such as a school or place of worship, you have the opportunity to develop a very small or “micro” renewable electricity generation project – of 10 kilowatts or less in size – on your property.”

“You’ll be paid for all the electricity you produce through the microFit Program.”

Also, in the OPA’s overview document: “The microFit Program is a stream of OPA’s Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) Program for renewable energy in Ontario. It is intended to encourage the development of “microscale” renewable energy projects across the province.”

“Owners of these projects will be paid a fixed price for the electricity they produce.”

Sachs has a 20 year contract with OPA for the fixed amount of 64 cents per unit. The system is set up as a business, Jane’s Solar Farm, which comes with tax benefits.

Those who contracted for a system prior to July of last year receive 80 cents per unit regardless of whether they have a ground or a roof system. Today, roof units receive 80 cents per unit while ground units will receive 64 cents per unit.

The unit became operational July 27th and the Sachs received their first receipt from hydro last week for approximately $1,000.

In response to whether there is a wait before receiving the first receipt from hydro, Jane Sachs said, “It’s a matter of doing the paperwork properly.” She also credited van Koppen for his help with paperwork as well as with being an intermediary for the Sachs with hydro and the government.

According to Sachs, the payment system works one month behind – a receipt stating how much was earned will come at the end of a month and the direct deposit will come the following month.

The 10 kilowatt unit installed in the Sachs backyard, according to van Koppen, gives “the best return on investment for the size and cost of the unit.”

A unit similar to the one the Sachs had installed will cost approximately $75,000. According to Robert Sachs, the return on investment with a solar panel far outweighs any other investment options available.

The Sachs should see a return on their investment within approximately eight years.

For those considering installing solar panels on their house or property, it was pointed out that the contract between homeowner and hydro can be transferred to new owners and that the cost of the solar panel will be factored into the price of the house.

In terms of taxation, South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds confirmed that the property’s present designation will stay the same. For example, if it’s residential, it will stay residential.

Also of note, the cost of insurance for the unit “isn’t much” says Jane.

As for how the unit works, van Koppen informed visitors that “it tracks the sun.” The system has “sensors that tell it exactly where to be” and there are “two DC motors (that) power it.” The amount of power used is reported to be minute.

There are two hydro lines connected to the unit: one draws power and the other delivers power.
The Solar PV system at the Sachs house is made with German parts from Sovello, which were assembled in Toronto, Ontario.

Van Koppen uses Sovello because of its reputation for making quality products. He is working on his fifth installation and has four more customers in line. His focus for these systems is to “do more quality than quantity.”

Guests to the presentation included Jim Brownell as well as members of the South Dundas council.

Brownell who is no longer the “official” MPP for the area now that the writ has dropped and the election campaigns have begun, stated that he is “still very interested and very involved” in the happenings of the area. He insists that he won’t actually be retired until the appointment of a new MPP on October 6th.

In his speech he thanked the Sachs for the invitation, claiming that this was his “first time to get up close and personal to a solar panel.” He went on to comment about solar energy and expanding opportunities.

South Dundas Mayor Steven Byvelds expressed his gratitude at being invited to the event saying, “I’m here to learn along with everyone else.”

In addition to van Koppen, Atel Air of Williamsburg also installs Solar PV systems.

According to Jimmy Thom, Atel Air uses Sanyo panels. The company has installed approximately four units so far, one ground and three roof units.

The price of installations at Atel Air are comparable to that of We Can Contracting.

Thom admits that there is a “lot of bureaucracy to get a solar system up and running,” but Atel Air workers are there to do the “leg work” for customers.

In terms of popularity, Thom reveals that there seems to be a lot of hesitation on the part of consumers because of the government control involved.

However, for those willing to make the investment and accept whatever risk may be involved, there is the opportunity for great return on investment.

In terms of product? Sanyo offers 10 year warranty on materials and labour and a 20 year warranty on “constant productivity for the system.” Sovello offers a 5 year warranty on materials and labour and a 10 year warranty on the system’s productivity output.

As for Solar PV systems in South Dundas and Glengarry, Mayor Byvelds remarked that “it’s good to see new technology in the area.”

South Dundas will see some work done on portions of County Road 18 and County Road 31 in the coming months.

During the June 26th South Dundas council meeting, deputy-mayor Jim Locke reported that work is to be done on the portion of County Road 18 between Dixon’s Corners and Hanesville as well as on the portion of County Road 31 between Williamsburg and Winchester Springs.

Contacted following the township meeting, United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry engineer Ben De Haan confirmed this, but could not give a specific start date for the work.

According to De Haan, the contractor is currently working on projects in North and South Glengarry and is expected to arrive in Dundas county in early August.

In addition, it was reported that the portion of County Road 31 just north of Morrisburg that has a substantial and noticeable vertical rut will be investigated sometime in August or September of this year.

“We are going to do a test pit,” said De Haan. “We are planning to excavate a one foot wide hole through the rut and down to the sub-grade to try and determine what is causing the issue.”

“I expect we will see thicker road base under the center part of the road and thinner road base or questionable material at the exterior,” he explained.

“This analysis will help us determine how to repair this section of the road.”

On Sunday, August 11th, my wife Frances and I had the pleasure of hosting our 9th Annual Constituency Picnic. Thanks to a wonderful staff and some great volunteers, the event went off without a hitch. After being so well received by the many constituents throughout SDSG it is very gratifying for Frances and I to return the favour and welcome people to our home.

The picnic has become a bit of a tradition for us. We have been feeding our guests the same menu, providing the same entertainment and everyone seems to enjoy themselves year after year. We even have bouncy castles for the kids.

Speaking of entertainment, Lucien “Smokey” Leger and his family have been our entertainment since our first event in 2005. 87 year old Smokey, his sons Alan and Brian, along with son-in-law Rick, keep everyone tapping their toes and sometimes even singing along to the many “old favourites” they play. I feel truly fortunate that our Constituency Picnic is the only “gig” these very professional and accomplished musicians play at all year. They have already been booked for next year’s special 10th Anniversary Picnic.

Certainly one of the highlights of the afternoon is when Frances sang a few numbers.

As some of you know, Frances has a beautiful voice and she is always a fan favourite when she sings her traditional three numbers.

Many of our guests are most complimentary of the beautiful flower gardens Frances works so hard at preparing for our special event.

I do cut the grass, however this year I didn’t get the weeding done, although I don’t think anyone noticed.

In all sincerity this day is very special to me. It is very humbling to welcome all the great friends we have made over the past years to a very simple happy family event.

Our BBQ gives all of us a chance to catch up with each other, see old friends, and just be grateful for the wonderful country we live in. For me it is a wonderful reminder of just how fortunate I am to be blessed with being the Member of Parliament for Stormont, Dundas & South Glengarry.